Ugh!
We can’t even share the video — it’s too hard to watch.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission recently shared a picture and information about a rare gopher tortoise that was tortured and ultimately killed by two teenage girls from Orange Park, Florida.
The video posted online showed the two girls dousing the tortoise in alcohol before setting it on fire, and then laughing and screaming as the tortoise tried to run away. They also threw the tortoise down the street and stomped on its shell until it broke and the tortoise died.
Here’s what the FWC wrote on their Facebook page:
“Under Investigation
We have received multiple complaints about the videos posted to Facebook last evening showing the killing of a small gopher tortoise. Our officers are investigating the case and are presently working with the State Attorney├óΓé¼Γäós Office to determine what charges may be filed. Please keep alerting us with your tips. Post here, private message, and call the Wildlife Alert Hotline at 888-404-FWCC (3922) or text Tip@Myfwc.com.”
The Clay Humane Society, a small non-profit animal clinic in Orange Park, Florida also made a statement about the troubling incident and said:
“Animal abuse is a key indicator of future violence towards human beings. These acts of cruelty typically escalate to future abuse of animals and people. It is vital that anyone who learns of violence towards animals contact the police immediately. We commend the young people who saw this animal abuse online and alerted the Clay County Sheriff’s Office to help prevent future crimes like this one.”
This is awful beyond words.
Why any person would enjoy torturing a helpless animal is beyond us.
Since the gopher tortoise is on the endangered species list — it could very well happen that these girls may face federal charges for their actions.
And honestly, we wouldn’t feel too sorry for them if they were charged after hearing about what they did.
Totally unacceptable.
You can check out the video here if you feel like you need to.
[Image via Facebook.]